Arrangement of discharge spark gaps on electric condensers



Feb. 4, I930. E; PFIFFNER 1,745,583

ARRANGEMENT 0F DISCHARGE SPARK GAPS ON ELECTRIC CONDENSERS Filed Dec. 16, 1925 m renian Patented Feb. 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EMIL PFIFFNER, OF FRIBOURG, SWITZERLAND, ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO RADIO PATENTS CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK ARRANGEMENT F DISCHARGE SPARK GAPS ON ELECTRIC CONDENSERS Application filed December 16, 1925, Serial No. 75,858, and in Germany November 2%, 1924.

This invention relates to improvements in the arrangement of discharge spark-gaps on electric condensers of the type referred to in my prior Patent No. 1,529,712 and copending application Serial Number 7 5,859, filed December 16, 1925, in order to automatically protect the same against punctures by temporary boosting voltages.

"sists in that an automatically quenching or extinguishing discharger, comprising one or more discharge spark-gaps, is immovably mounted in a hollow space of the condenser in series with one or more damping resistances and connectedbetween the two poles of the condenser.

The hereinafter described arrangement of discharge spark-gaps in condensers is formed by dielectric layers andconducting coatings wound in the form of a hollow cylinder and in which, in .the event of condensers connected in series (compound condenser), each condenser is furnished with a complete discharge arrangement, comprising one or a numberof discharge sparlcgaps with damping resistances. The damping resistances in. series with the discharge spark-gap cause a dead-beat discharge of the boosting voltage parallel to the electric condenser.

Two modes of carrying out the present invention are illustrated in sectional elevation and by way of example on the accompanying sheet of drawings. i

Fig. 1 is a central vertical sectional view more or less diagrammatic, of a condenser unit adapted to be employed in connection with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a plurality of such units assembled in series.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating a somewhat modified arrangement of conducting and dielectric sheets, and

sulating tube 6, spark-gaps e and a damping resistance w.

If for any reason a boosting voltage arises between the end plates at and b, the same is compensated by the spark-gaps e and the resistance to without overloading or puncturing the insulating material k of the condenser.

. The number of the spark-gaps c has to be sufiiciently great, so that the quenching or extinguishing eflect of the multiple spark-gap is large enough to again extinguish the arc formed during the normal working voltage.

Compared with similar known arrangements provided with protective spark-gaps outside the condenser, the arrangement according to the present invention possesses the advantage, that the protective means is located within the condenser or compound condenser (Fig. 2), so that the latter does not render necessary any particular protective measure, but forms itself a puncture-proof arrangement.

Fig. 3 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 1, but in which are shown conductor strips m, leading from the conductive elements Z along the interior of the conducting plates 0; and b and connected thereto by means of solder at n on the exterior thereof. There is also shown a spiral spring 32 within the discharger casing, the function of such spring being to maintain compression between the spark-gaps e, damping resistance w and the caps 0. At 9 is shown a small metallicring fastened on each cap for the purpose of holding the discharger in position within the condenser,

charger in place. Fig. 4 represents a plan View of the condenser in which the conductor strips m lead to the points 11., one set of conductive elements having terminals on the right-hand side, and the other set on the lefthand side, in agreement with Fig. 3. It will be noted that Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the dielectric strips as having conducting layers on each face thereof in order that each strip with its two layers constitutes a condenser in itself, Fig. 4; showing the condenser as being built up by winding up two of such strips into a hollow cylinder.

The constructions shown inFigs 1 and 2 may be varied in many ways. The essential feature of the present invention consists in that each condenser or compound condenser is renderedpuncture-proof by means of a discharge arrangement provided within the sallleo I 1. An electricalcondenser having alternate dielectric and conducting layers of difl'erent polarity making up an annular body provided with an interior compartment enclosed by said layers, and a protective electrical dis charge device disposed within said compartment having spaced electrodes respectively 3. An electrical condenserhaving alternate dielectric and conducting layers of difl'erent polarity making up an annular body provided with an interior compartment enclosed by said layers, and a protective electrical dis 7 charge device disposed within said compartment having spaced electrodes respectively electrically connected with conducting layers of dilferent polarity, said discharge device havlng associated therewith means for pendering the same self extinguishing.

4. An electrical condenser having alternate dielectric and conducting layers of different polarity making up an annular body provided with an interior compartment enclosed by said layers, and a protective electrical discharge device disposed within said compartment having spaced electrodes respec-.

vided with an interior compartment enclosed by said layers, metallic members at opposite ends of said body and respectively connected to conducting layers of different polarity and a protective electrical discharge device elecmembers and disposed within said compartment, said device having associated therewith means forrendering the same self extinguishing. v r

6. An electrical condenser having alternate dielectric and conducting layers of different polarity making up an annular body provided with an interior compartment enclosed by said layers, metallic members at opposite ends of said body and respectively connected to conducting layers of difierent polarity, a I

protective electrical discharge deviceelectricallyconnected between said metalllic members anddisposed within said com artment, said'device having associated t erewith means for rendering the same self extinguishing, including a. 'lurality of serially connected spark gaps an a damping resistance.

' 7. An electrical condenserhaving alternate dielectric and conducting layersof different .polarity making up an annular body provided with an interior compartment enclosed by said layers, metallic members at opposite ends of said bodyand respectively connected to conducting layers of different polarity, a

.trically connected between said metallic I protective electrical discharge device elec- 3 trically connected between said metallic members and disposedwithin said com artment, said device having associated t erewith means for rendering the same self extinguishing, and a spring also bearing against said discharge device.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification;

EMIL PFIFFNER.

tively electrically connected with conducting v layers of difierent polarity and a damping resistance associated with said discharge device.

5. An electrical condenser havin alternate dielectric and conducting layers 0 different polarity making up an annular body prolac 

